The N.F.L. announced today that it was upholding the four-game suspension of New England Patriots quarterback and human thoroughbred Tom Brady after investigators discovered that he had destroyed his cell phone, along with 10,000 texts, during the investigation into whether he’d deflated footballs in a championship game.

In his ruling, commissioner Roger Goodell said that Brady, who was accused of deflating his footballs during the 2014–2015 season A.F.C. championship game to gain a competitive advantage, ordered his assistant to destroy his cell phone after he had been interviewed by investigators. The league says it was not aware that Brady had destroyed his phone until June 18, “almost four months after the investigators had first sought electronic information from Brady."

The texts would have been relevant to the initial investigation, which determined that two Patriots staffers had exchanged messages indicating that they deliberately deflated the balls. The report, released on May 6, famously noted that it was “more probable than not” that Brady was “generally aware” of the practice, though unsure as to whether he deliberately ordered the men to manipulate his balls. Critics argued that the initial suspension was too harsh, especially in comparison to punishments handed down in other egregious cases.

ESPN reports that Brady, who has already reported to training camp this year, plans to challenge the suspension in federal court (and thereby be able to play as the case slogs through the judicial system).

The scandal, alternatively known as “Deflate-gate” or “Ballghazi,” threatens to derail his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game, as well as his status as New England’s gridiron savior. (At least one area writer was torn between inconsolably wailing and furiously burning her No. 12 jersey.)